Want to catch Untapable and California Chrome in action? Parx has an easy-to-access live feed running ATM. The fillies are being saddled for the Cotillion now!
I just checked in, when is Chrome’s race?
Post time for the PA Derby is 5:40 EST.
Local comcast broadcast available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlXGF9JHQcM
Congrats to Untapable for winning the Cotillion
[QUOTE=armchair_Quaterback;7769402]
Post time for the PA Derby is 5:40 EST.[/QUOTE]
Thanks! Enough time to go outside and work a bit.
Thanks! Just in time to see Untapable win the Cotillion. I saw her in person at the Oaks and she is just stunning. Hoping Chrome has a good trip in the Pennsylvania Derby.
20 minutes to post. Fingers crossed for a good trip!
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;7769409]
Thanks! Enough time to go outside and work a bit.[/QUOTE]
You and me both! I’m out jogging right now, but I keep checking my phone every five minutes. 
That Untapable sure is a nice filly…and I don’t consider myself a Chromie but I’m anxious to see how he does, breaking from the rail and with the speedy Bayern in the race. This is the first time in ages that I’ve been following horse racing this closely!
He has to run better without a hamburgered heel.
Not a great effort today from Chrome. He looked uncomfortable down in close in the early going and was flat when they hit the stretch. 
That was daylight robbery.
How did they let THAT horse get away with THAT lead/pace?
I didn’t like they way he looked coming out of the first turn, he was rank or climbing or both but then he seemed ok going into the second turn. Not sure if he just gave up when he never got in the clear or what. Tough to do anything when the speed walks around the first quarter all by himself though.
I don’t think he was uncomfortable, there was a HORSE in front of him, VE was trying to hold position and not run over the guy in front of him. Bayern got the jump and it would have been stupid to try to head him early. The PA derby was supposed to be a good first race back but it ended up drawing a very tough field. He’ll do better back here in California I expect, and a little more time won’t hurt.
He didn’t fire, just didn’t have it in him and team CC have already started with the excuses saying that if he wasn’t boxed in it might of been different. But anyone can see that when he had a chance to go, there was nothing from him.
[QUOTE=spotted draft x filly;7769562]
He didn’t fire, just didn’t have it in him and team CC have already started with the excuses saying that if he wasn’t boxed in it might of been different. But anyone can see that when he had a chance to go, there was nothing from him.[/QUOTE]
I don’t really see it as an excuse, that’s just the way the horse runs. Fitness probably played a role, but I don’t think it was the main factor.
Look at his past races. First in eight of his 14 races. Of the other six you can take out his first race, where he ran second, and the Belmont, where his injury coming out of the gate may have played a part. That leaves four races with one 5th place finish and three 6th place finishes including today. In each of those races he was boxed in either on the backstretch or going into the final turn. As soon as he realizes he has nowhere to go, he stops trying and is content to gallop with the pack.
[QUOTE=Angelico;7769557]
I don’t think he was uncomfortable, there was a HORSE in front of him, VE was trying to hold position and not run over the guy in front of him. [/QUOTE]
That’s what I mean. He was crammed in tight and didn’t like it. He had his head up and didn’t want to settle back a bit and for a second I was worried he was going to clip heels. The inside spot doesn’t seem to suit him.
Maybe he needed a race and will be back on top in the BC. I hope so.
^^ THIS.
I watched the reply a few times, and it looked like Espinoza almost made it to the outside with Chrome as they entered the backstretch. But after being boxed on the rail, he either didn’t have any gas left when a hole finally opened for him towards the end of the race–or Chrome quit trying. 
That’s racing. I don’t think any less of CC for losing in his first outing after the three-month layoff–and in a tough Grade I, too. But where does this leave California Chrome, Bayern, and Shared Belief in the three-year-old championship? Will it all come down to the Breeder’s Cup?
Bayern sets track record:
http://www.drf.com/news/bayern-sets-track-record-pennsylvania-derby-triumph
After setting leisurely fractions of 24.07 seconds for the first quarter and 47.89 for the half-mile, Bayern covered the 1 1/8 miles in a track record time of 1:46.96. The previous mark of 1:47 was established by Selari Sprit in 1974.
Great race by Bayern and a great ride by Martin Garcia. California Chrome obviously does not like being pinned on the rail and all the other jockeys knew it and took advantage. Fair enough, that’s horse racing. I thought Chrome might be a bit short for this race and his late fade to sixth probably proves it. Hope everyone comes out of this OK. The Breeders Cup Classic should be fun!
I am with Laurierace, he was beat coming out of the first turn. He looked the same in the Belmont and I said the same thing much to the chagrin of my friends watching. Tomatoes were thrown at me.
So, IMO it begs the question did he back up in the Belmont because of grabbing himself/being stepped on or was he just “over the top”? It is a shame that it happened because we will never know. Anybody that has been around racing long enough has seen plenty of winning horses come back with the same thing.
“Boxing” the favorite is SOP and is especially easy when the horse is in the 1 hole. It should not have come as any surprise to VE. He could have avoided it by just taking back at the start and swung out and see how the race unfolded. It wasn’t a sprint. I bet he knew he was in trouble given the leisurely pace. But IMO no one was going to beat the winner regardless. Easy to second guess from the side lines.
Given the fact CC had something like 6 weeks off, no prep race in the comfort of his back yard. A race I am sure the racing secretary would have “written” for him given his stature. I think it was pretty ambitious to ship across the country and open up with a run in a Grade 2, $1 million race. Million dollars races don’t usually come up light.
I am not one to second guess trainers and or jockeys but given the pompous, greedy and controlling attitude of CC’s owners I wouldn’t be surprised if the Million $ carrot was shoved down Mr. Sherman’s throat. I think I heard they were paid a $100 grand appearance fee also? Which the track got back in spades with him running off the board as the heavy favorite.
Good horse loose their form at times. And sometimes never get it back. One of the great mysteries of life for those of us who work with them. Regardless of the discipline.
Congrats to the winner and all of his connections.
A little shameless self promotion, a Jump Start colt, Bump Start that was foaled at our farm for clients was a very game 3rd in the Gallant Bob G-3 beaten a diminishing 2 ½, short neck for 2nd. Bumped and pinched back at the start ridden beautifully by the great Rosie. The 2 leaders set blazing fractions and the final time as just off the track record. He was flying at the end.
We have had great luck with Jump Start having bred to him a number of times and foaled several for clients. He is easily the best value Stallion standing in the Mid-Atlantic. Too bad he is standing at North View. Golden is such a butt head and I won’t support his stallions anymore.
